The MV Hondius cruise ship has been cleared to sail once more by Dutch well being authorities following a deep clear and disinfection after a hantavirus outbreak onboard
TENERIFE, SPAIN – MAY 11: The MV Hondius is seen docked after tough seas disrupted the evacuation of the ultimate passengers within the Granadilla Port on Could 11, 2026 in Tenerife, a part of the Canary Islands, Spain. The cruise ship MV Hondius, which had three passengers die from Hantavirus final month and eight extra reported circumstances, docked in Tenerife on Could tenth, the place the remaining passengers are being repatriated to their respective international locations. At a press convention this week, representatives of the World Well being Group (WHO) emphasised the outbreak of this uncommon virus didn’t represent a pandemic, nevertheless it has stirred anxieties within the Canary Islands and elsewhere. (Photograph by Chris McGrath/Getty Photographs) (Picture: Getty Photographs)
The cruise vessel on the coronary heart of a deadly hantavirus outbreak has been given the all-clear to return to service, Oceanwide Expeditions has introduced.
MV Hondius triggered a worldwide well being emergency earlier this month when passengers contracted the illness. A complete of 13 confirmed circumstances have been linked to the outbreak, leading to three fatalities.
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Hantavirus is an unusual rodent-borne virus for which no vaccines or particular remedies can be found, and the virus can stay dormant within the physique for as much as eight weeks.
Nevertheless, following complete cleansing and disinfection procedures, the vessel is now able to resume operations, with the Dutch public well being company stating there are ‘not any obstacles to placing the Hondius again to sea’.
The UK Well being Safety Company (UKHSA) instructed the 22 British passengers aboard to stay at Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral, in Merseyside for testing – they started quarantine on Could 10.
Six people have been permitted to depart the hospital to finish their isolation at dwelling on Could 13, however the remaining 16 passengers proceed to remain on the facility, reviews the Mirror.
Simply over 9 weeks for the reason that preliminary passenger grew to become unwell aboard on April 6, the vessel is anticipated to set sail as soon as extra.
The newest assertion from Oceanwide Expeditions reads: “The deliberate departure of m/v Hondius from the port of Rotterdam to Vlissingen has been delayed following recommendation from GGD Rotterdam for extra cleansing procedures.
“The remaining crew members from the unique voyage have been escorted to quarantine services on Saturday night. Captain Jan Dobrogowski was transported to Poland through specialised transport. The place acceptable, Dutch crew members have returned to their properties for dwelling quarantine as per established protocols.
“GGD Rotterdam, in cooperation with Oceanwide Expeditions, desires to make sure that the vessel is able to be safely returned to service. Based mostly on their inspection findings, GGD has suggested extra cleansing. Following completion of this work, GGD will conduct a last inspection earlier than the vessel can depart from Rotterdam.
“We are going to talk the anticipated timeline for these procedures as quickly as this turns into clear. At this stage, all voyages from 13 June onwards will proceed as scheduled. No additional disruption to the crusing schedule of m/v Hondius is predicted.”
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